bluestripe67
Well-known member
Thomas, Glad to hear you all are doing well and have been enjoying the various drives. Do I see a '66, or '67 red Rambler in the shop? Dennis
Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop
- Thread starter BB767
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
Hi Terry, and as for " those of us of the **** persuasion " I trust I'm one of those so..... now about my math conversion- hmmmm...
As you can see on both the data plates the bed length is 3 1/2' converted to 3.5' With that, 3.5 feet = 1.0668 meters so I just rounded the 1.0668 m to 1 m and you'er right, that might be a bit too much to round off. In retrospect perhaps I should have used cm instead of m so the rounding error would not be as significant. We'll let the bed length show as 3.5' or 106.68 cm. Good catch there Terry, thanks. My apologies to all our metric friends out there. Try as I might, metrics still don't come naturally to me, I find I have to work at it......all the time
I do appreciate everyone keeping on my toes here. It's a group effort I know but I don't want to let you down at this point.
Trying harder Thomas
Dennis, clearly time for a thread review before the test! Note on page 285, post # 5690 and #5699. It's an all original....
...red 1962 Rambler!
Thomas
Around the time I was born, my family had a Rambler -- probably within a few years of that '62. It was pink -- that's the one part I remember clearly. No idea how my father stumbled into a pink car, but it was a family favorite.
Thanks Rick for all that info. I didn't know anything about a South Bend lathe registry, nothing, zippo! I also didn't know Grizzly Tools had build order information on them. Boy, the things I lean in this thread!
oberst, what a wonderful acknowledgment to my Dad's wood working skill. He laminated the tops and built both those benches back in 1948 making them about 65 years old now. The bench the 1948 lathe is resting on was purpose built for that lathe. Back then he taught industrial arts skills to up and coming high school industrial arts teachers in college. He had a wide range of skill sets in metals and wood, but wood working was his real passion.
You can't see this bench very well with that plywood sitting on top of it. That's how I moved the lathe, I bolted it to that scrap piece of 1/2" (1.3 cm) plywood as an aid so we could carry it up some stairs and then transport it to the shop. My plan is to clean up the bench, perhaps even refinish it, before I move it into place and remount the lathe onto it. They are as you observed, solid and beefy.
Thomas
ZRX61
Well-known member
Thom: Grizzly now own SouthBend. Not only do they sell the new ones (lathes, mills, bandsaws, drill presses etc) but they also have heaps of NOS parts for the old ones. I got some parts I needed for my '53 Heavy 10 a few years back.
As for the registry, I show up there in 3 times
As for the registry, I show up there in 3 times
Jack, if it looked about this color...
...what we see is pink but in automotive terms back then that color was referred to as "Coral". I don't know why, but around here in the Mid-West, pink or Coral Ramblers were somewhat ubiquitous. They were quite a common sight. A sturdy, no nonsense car that took a licking and kept on ticking. Thanks for the memories, I'd forgotten about pink Ramblers!
Thom: Grizzly now own SouthBend. Not only do they sell the new ones (lathes, mills, bandsaws, drill presses etc) but they also have heaps of NOS parts for the old ones. I got some parts I needed for my '53 Heavy 10 a few years back.
As for the registry, I show up there in 3 times
Rick as always you are a fountain of useful information. I'll look for you when I register mine. More "good to know stuff"! Thanks.
Thomas
9C1
Well-known member
Thomas,
Communication must not be my long suit today. Maybe it is because I am in Texas and don't speak the naive tongue.
It looks to my like you are converting the 3.5 feet to 3 meters, and I am pretty sure in both Texas and Illinois that doesn't work.
Now that I have beaten that Metric horse to death I will live with whatever you say.
Terry
Communication must not be my long suit today. Maybe it is because I am in Texas and don't speak the naive tongue.
It looks to my like you are converting the 3.5 feet to 3 meters, and I am pretty sure in both Texas and Illinois that doesn't work.
Now that I have beaten that Metric horse to death I will live with whatever you say.
Terry
bluestripe67
Well-known member
Well Thomas, I guess I was doddlin' when this subject came up in class. Do I have to stay after class? Dennis
when this subject came up in class. Do I have to stay after class? DennisZRX61
Well-known member
I show up in 1937, 1953 & I forgot the other date, pretty sure it was 1930's also.Rick as always you are a fountain of useful information. I'll look for you when I register mine. More "good to know stuff"! Thanks.
Thomas
markviii
Well-known member
I'm sure Tom meant to say a bit more than 1m in the original post (#7278) where he typed "3m". His conversion was correct.
(FYI: 1m = 39.3701")
To convert 3 ft 6 inches to meters (there are LOTS of ways):
3' 6" = 36" + 6" = 42" total
1 inch = 2.54cm
2.54 * 42 = 106.68cm
106.68cm * 100 (move decimal two places to the left) = 1.0668m
Hope that helps.
Chris
(FYI: 1m = 39.3701")
To convert 3 ft 6 inches to meters (there are LOTS of ways):
3' 6" = 36" + 6" = 42" total
1 inch = 2.54cm
2.54 * 42 = 106.68cm
106.68cm * 100 (move decimal two places to the left) = 1.0668m
Hope that helps.
Chris
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Terry, OK this is the time for me to admit to something.....am I the only guy who types something, reads and re-reads it dozens and dozens and dozens of times over and over and in my mind what I've typed is correct and accurate and then............like a lighting bolt or when a super sharp person such as yourself points out "hey dummy, is that really what you meant?!" Terry I looked and read that I don't know how many times and in my mind I only saw the number 1, not the number 3 that was on the screen. How did that 3 get there anyway??
It's only just now that I see what you were talking about. Man, talk about brain dead, sheesh. Thank you again my good sir, for helping me since I need all the help I can get! OK now that we've
Thomas
Well Thomas, I guess I was doddlin'
No worries Dennis, at least you know the difference between a 1 and a 3 unlike myself.
BTW, Chris has the final say about staying after class and here's little clue, she's one tough cookie when it comes to doddlin' in class!
Thomas
9C1
Well-known member
Thomas,
Did I tell you I used to be Editor of the club magazine?
Oh, yea, someone else (retired HS English teacher) did the proof reading and final grammar and spelling.
I know exactly how you feel. I did it time & time again.
Terry
BTW: I hope you are enjoying The Restorer. The current Editor is doing a bang up job, and he is ready for your seat track story whenever you get around to it. Perhaps another retirement project? I know, after the house you will be looking for something to do.
Did I tell you I used to be Editor of the club magazine?
Oh, yea, someone else (retired HS English teacher) did the proof reading and final grammar and spelling.I know exactly how you feel. I did it time & time again.
Terry
BTW: I hope you are enjoying The Restorer. The current Editor is doing a bang up job, and he is ready for your seat track story whenever you get around to it. Perhaps another retirement project? I know, after the house you will be looking for something to do.
Here's another on-going project out the shop. A little background refresher first. When I bought the shop, out in the lift room was...
...this hydraulic press, barely seen, circled on the right, behind the go kart.
Here's a better view of it though it's still blocked by plenty of, ah,.....well material I guess is what you'd call it.
It was eventually brought into the fab room and equipped with an air assisted hydraulic jack. While it functioned well enough...
...the base was badly pitted from rust. The original lift room overhead door was made up of glass panes, some of which were broken and that had let rain leak into the lift room for many, many years, soaking the floor and rusting equipment as you can see.
Additionally, that base had been welded to the frame which prevented removal of the movable table in the center should I ever need to do that. So I came up with a plan to make the press a little more user friendly and visually more pleasing.
The old base was cut off and a new base was created using 1/4" (.635 cm) thick, 4" (10.16 cm) wide angle. The end corners of the angle were curved using a grinder to give a better appearance.
Look closely and you'll see threads were tapped into it because I planned to install casters to make the press easily moveable by myself when working alone out there.
A spreader bar was welded to stiffen the structure.
So with that done, next...
...a "drip pan" was constructed to catch the inevitable dripping of the hydraulic jack. Eventually it seems they all leak or weep to some degree and make a mess on the floor. This should help make keeping the shop clean much easier.
The pan was made out of 1/8" (.3 cm) thick steel. I wanted some heft or weight to it so when the press was moved the pan wouldn't rattle and move around.
The long sides were bent using a metal brake and the short ends were welded into place, simple enough. As sturdy as that is pan is I don't expect it to get dented or chewed up over the years, it should look good for a long time to come.
With all those parts fabricated, it's off to Rick's for some......well, you know, powder coat! Check back to see how it turned out.
Thomas
...this hydraulic press, barely seen, circled on the right, behind the go kart.
Here's a better view of it though it's still blocked by plenty of, ah,.....well material I guess is what you'd call it.
It was eventually brought into the fab room and equipped with an air assisted hydraulic jack. While it functioned well enough...
...the base was badly pitted from rust. The original lift room overhead door was made up of glass panes, some of which were broken and that had let rain leak into the lift room for many, many years, soaking the floor and rusting equipment as you can see.
Additionally, that base had been welded to the frame which prevented removal of the movable table in the center should I ever need to do that. So I came up with a plan to make the press a little more user friendly and visually more pleasing.
The old base was cut off and a new base was created using 1/4" (.635 cm) thick, 4" (10.16 cm) wide angle. The end corners of the angle were curved using a grinder to give a better appearance.
Look closely and you'll see threads were tapped into it because I planned to install casters to make the press easily moveable by myself when working alone out there.
A spreader bar was welded to stiffen the structure.
So with that done, next...
...a "drip pan" was constructed to catch the inevitable dripping of the hydraulic jack. Eventually it seems they all leak or weep to some degree and make a mess on the floor. This should help make keeping the shop clean much easier.
The pan was made out of 1/8" (.3 cm) thick steel. I wanted some heft or weight to it so when the press was moved the pan wouldn't rattle and move around.
The long sides were bent using a metal brake and the short ends were welded into place, simple enough. As sturdy as that is pan is I don't expect it to get dented or chewed up over the years, it should look good for a long time to come.
With all those parts fabricated, it's off to Rick's for some......well, you know, powder coat!
Check back to see how it turned out.Thomas
bluestripe67
Well-known member
We all know what the winner of the superbowl says at the end of the game. Well, some day after I see the last item restored in the shop I'm going to say, I'm going to "Thomas's Restored 1930's Auto Shop.". I need to see this place. 
Dennis
Dennismarkviii
Well-known member
Dennis - I wouldn't want you to wait that long to see the Restored 1930s Auto Shop ("the last item restored"); that might be an awful long way in the future! Remember, two sheds still need to be emptied (Joe's waiting sooo patiently to see what tools may emerge from those places) and who knows what gems Tom may come up with from that stuff! It's all part of the journey, so you won't miss much jumping in anywhere along the way.
Chris
Chris
bluestripe67
Well-known member
OK Chris, I'll start planning something for 2014/2015. Already on the books for the Caravan to the NCM next year. Dennis
DennisOK Chris, I'll start planning something for 2014/2015. Already on the books for the Caravan to the NCM next year.
Remember Dennis, Bloomington Gold is held a short 11 miles away from the shop next June.
Always Helpful Thomas
mdkingsley
Well-known member
I love checking your thread always something cool going on!
Hi there Mitchell and thanks for your interest and for checking in. You just never know what's going to pop up here, and most of the time, neither do I! I'm still amazed at all the twists and turns that seem to happen to me, mostly because of this old shop. Stand for more headed this way!
Thomas
BTW, Robert if you're reading this I sent you a PM with those Walker measurements you were asking for, sorry for the delay.
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So, while we wait for some powder coating work to get finished on the press, I've been doing some additional yard maintenance...
Once I got all the stumps ground out a few weeks past, I removed a few more trees using my backhoe method...
...which leaves no stump, just uproots the tree, stump and all as you can see. All I need do now is knock the dirt from the remaining root ball and burn the stump.
These two were apple trees that were more dead than alive. They are the final two apple tress on the property that Mr Johnson planted more than a 1/2 century ago around the family house. He had planted them not only for their fruit, but also to provide pollen for his honey bees. I knew those trees were on their last legs for a few years, but was reluctant to remove them until now. We had a bit of a drouth this last summer that finally did them in.
This was a small Hackberry that also needed to be removed. You can see very little dirt on the root ball even before I clean it off. It's been so dry lately that the dirt just doesn't cling to the roots.
So this is the spot in the center clearing where Mrs.mark viii's home will be built, we hope next year. The old family home, back and to the left, the small honey house in the center fore-ground and beyond that, the 2-car garage, tool shed and lean-to will all be removed. I've circled the tool shed in red and that locust tree in yellow to show what 7 years ago it looked like...
The tool shed in red, that locust tree in yellow. In the foreground is the trailer used for...
... radio repairs. This sign hung outside that trailer.
Here's what the other side of that trailer looked like, the locust tree to the right of the case tractor, in front of the radio repair trailer.
This is what is just out of frame to the right of the clearing, the barn, only a few steps away. We've come a long way both inside and out at the property and will shortly begin the final phase.
Thomas
Once I got all the stumps ground out a few weeks past, I removed a few more trees using my backhoe method...
...which leaves no stump, just uproots the tree, stump and all as you can see. All I need do now is knock the dirt from the remaining root ball and burn the stump.
These two were apple trees that were more dead than alive. They are the final two apple tress on the property that Mr Johnson planted more than a 1/2 century ago around the family house. He had planted them not only for their fruit, but also to provide pollen for his honey bees. I knew those trees were on their last legs for a few years, but was reluctant to remove them until now. We had a bit of a drouth this last summer that finally did them in.
This was a small Hackberry that also needed to be removed. You can see very little dirt on the root ball even before I clean it off. It's been so dry lately that the dirt just doesn't cling to the roots.
So this is the spot in the center clearing where Mrs.mark viii's home will be built, we hope next year. The old family home, back and to the left, the small honey house in the center fore-ground and beyond that, the 2-car garage, tool shed and lean-to will all be removed. I've circled the tool shed in red and that locust tree in yellow to show what 7 years ago it looked like...
The tool shed in red, that locust tree in yellow. In the foreground is the trailer used for...
... radio repairs. This sign hung outside that trailer.
Here's what the other side of that trailer looked like, the locust tree to the right of the case tractor, in front of the radio repair trailer.
This is what is just out of frame to the right of the clearing, the barn, only a few steps away. We've come a long way both inside and out at the property and will shortly begin the final phase.
Thomas
realvc
Well-known member
I really enjoy following the "Restored 1930's Auto Shop" thread.
People tell me I'm OCD about keeping my stuff organized. My LP record collection is alphabetized and I keep tools and other things in the shop, in my study or on my desk put up so when I need it I can find it.
Now when ever some one gives me a hard time about the way I keep my stuff organized I don't let it bother me because I know at the "Center of the Universe" things are organized and powder coated. I find great comfort in that.
Thanks again Thomas and Chris for sharing your life with all of us.
Vince
People tell me I'm OCD about keeping my stuff organized. My LP record collection is alphabetized and I keep tools and other things in the shop, in my study or on my desk put up so when I need it I can find it.
Now when ever some one gives me a hard time about the way I keep my stuff organized I don't let it bother me because I know at the "Center of the Universe" things are organized and powder coated. I find great comfort in that.
Thanks again Thomas and Chris for sharing your life with all of us.
Vince
R1chy
Well-known member
I don't remember this method being covered.
Might be time to put together an index, which will help during Chris' open book test.
Oh, Oh R1chy! You'll find an index at the bottom of post #1 on page #1.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51567
That index has been there for more than a year now and I find I use it all the time to find past posts. It was kindly compiled by board member wrigh003, probably because he got tired of waiting for me to do it!
Not too sure though if the index contains the various posts showing the frost tooth on the backhoe etc.Chris just said dinner's ready so I can't look for those posts right now. You'll have to fend for yourself on tracking them down. Good luck! SWMBO!!
Hungry Thomas!
OK R1chy, dinner was terrific (as always
) so now I'm able to help you out with the tree trimming "backhoe method" I mentioned. Go back to page 263, see post # 5250. There are several photographs along with text describing how I've done the majority of the tree trimming/clearing out at the property. Now I bet you remember. Chris you better get that thread test going soon or else these guys are in major trouble. I'm just sayin..............
Thanks R1chy for all your support and interest over the last couple of years here. I do appreciate it.
I bet you weren't the only one who might have wondered about that. Thomas
R1chy
Well-known member
OK R1chy, dinner was terrific (as always
Chris you better get that thread test going soon or else these guys are in major trouble. I'm just sayin..............
Thanks R1chy for all your support and interest over the last couple of years here. I do appreciate it.
Thomas
Thomas - Thank you very much, you're right I now do remember it.
I also appreciate the index link on Post #1. Wow, I've not been back there in a long, long time!! It was great revisiting where all started, years ago. I know this has been said before, many times, but thanks for including us on your journey. Given the opportunity and time I'm sure there are many of us that would love to do the same thing, and second best is doing along with our internet friend.
Take care and keep posting. R1chy
So here we are, the hydraulic floor press fresh out of Rick's powder coat oven...
This is the new base (seen upside down) and the casters (Blickle from Germany) that I installed on it.
After some assembly.
Not sure what you'd call this, it's the head piece the jack ram actuates as you'll see. The two unpainted pipes slide into...
...these two corresponding pipes that are attaches to the press frame and that's why I didn't powder coat them. Since the head piece moves up and down I used some 400 grit emery cloth to polish the pipes a little to ensure smooth movement.
Here they are all clean and polished. I used mineral spirits to clean off all the oil I used in conjunction with the emery cloth.
To make sure all the grit from sand blasting the frame has been removed from the inside of the of the frame pipes...
..I used these pipe brushes and tapped the sides of the pipes. I spent about a 1/2 hour cleaning those because sand just kept coming out.
Once I was confident that there was no more sand in them I used mineral spirits and 3m adhesive cleaner soaked paper towels inside them to ensure a clean mating surface.
I decided to use EZ-Slide on the pipes to lubricate them. It's a dry lubricant and will not attract dust and grit onto the pipes.
It's almost like a paint so I had to mask off everything I didn't want EZ-Slide on.
While that was drying...
...I cleaned up the old hardware that I reused. It only took a few minutes but it really brighten it up. Bottom eyebolt - clean. Top eyebolt - 40 years shop accumulated gook.
I had the return springs powder coated and they look terrific.
That head piece now slides up and down as smooth as a baby's, ah.... gluteus maximus!
Next came installation of...
...the drip pan.
I used some scrap 1" (2.54 cm) aluminum angle to fabricate brackets for the pan to rest on.
These were just bolted on using the existing bolts on the frame base.
They will largely never be seen.
That should catch any pump drippings.
Last part was putting the air assist bottle jack in place.
At present it's set up with a hand trigger to activate it. I'm considering a foot pedal operated set up which would leave my hands free to hold objects in the press.
So overall this is how it turned out.
While it functioned well enough before...
...I think it will now, not only function well, but is a bit easier on the eye and the casters will give me great flexibility and ease of use.
So once again, that concludes this portion of our program, but wait..........there's more in store. You won't want to miss a single action packed post so stick around! Thanks everyone.
Thomas
This is the new base (seen upside down) and the casters (Blickle from Germany) that I installed on it.
After some assembly.
Not sure what you'd call this, it's the head piece the jack ram actuates as you'll see. The two unpainted pipes slide into...
...these two corresponding pipes that are attaches to the press frame and that's why I didn't powder coat them. Since the head piece moves up and down I used some 400 grit emery cloth to polish the pipes a little to ensure smooth movement.
Here they are all clean and polished. I used mineral spirits to clean off all the oil I used in conjunction with the emery cloth.
To make sure all the grit from sand blasting the frame has been removed from the inside of the of the frame pipes...
..I used these pipe brushes and tapped the sides of the pipes. I spent about a 1/2 hour cleaning those because sand just kept coming out.
Once I was confident that there was no more sand in them I used mineral spirits and 3m adhesive cleaner soaked paper towels inside them to ensure a clean mating surface.
I decided to use EZ-Slide on the pipes to lubricate them. It's a dry lubricant and will not attract dust and grit onto the pipes.
It's almost like a paint so I had to mask off everything I didn't want EZ-Slide on.
While that was drying...
...I cleaned up the old hardware that I reused. It only took a few minutes but it really brighten it up. Bottom eyebolt - clean. Top eyebolt - 40 years shop accumulated gook.
I had the return springs powder coated and they look terrific.
That head piece now slides up and down as smooth as a baby's, ah.... gluteus maximus!
Next came installation of...
...the drip pan.
I used some scrap 1" (2.54 cm) aluminum angle to fabricate brackets for the pan to rest on.
These were just bolted on using the existing bolts on the frame base.
They will largely never be seen.
That should catch any pump drippings.
Last part was putting the air assist bottle jack in place.
At present it's set up with a hand trigger to activate it. I'm considering a foot pedal operated set up which would leave my hands free to hold objects in the press.
So overall this is how it turned out.
While it functioned well enough before...
...I think it will now, not only function well, but is a bit easier on the eye and the casters will give me great flexibility and ease of use.
So once again, that concludes this portion of our program, but wait..........there's more in store. You won't want to miss a single action packed post so stick around! Thanks everyone.
Thomas
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Boosted1
Well-known member
Very nice work on the press, as usual.
For the folks who read my latest on the hydraulic press, I edited the post and replaced the pictures that PhotoBucket did not originally display. They now display so you might want to revisit post #7313 and take another look. It might make a bit more sense. Sorry 'bout that.
Thomas
Thomas
Vernmotor
Well-known member
gluteus maximus I had to go look that one up ! (smack myself on the forehead)
It looks very nice why the plate on top with the large hole in it ?
It looks very nice
why the plate on top with the large hole in it ?gluteus maximus I had to go look that one up ! (smack myself on the forehead)
It looks very nice
That's a fair question. That channel was something I recovered from the tool shed a few years ago...
Here it is before I had it powder coated. It was heavily rusted so I ground it to level the surface as much as I could without sacrificing too much strength but it's still very pitted.
I found it along with several other accessories that Mr Johnson had created for use with the press. It's a specialty item for sure but I can only guess what it's real use was. To press tractor bearings off an axel perhaps?
I've used it a couple of times with the press and find the various cutouts to be useful as a work surface when pressing something. Anyone out there have any thoughts on its use? Thanks for the kind words. I can only imagine your face when you looked up that definition.
Thomas
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BTW Vince, my record collection...
... of some 3,000+ LP's is alphabetized by artist and then by date of album release as well. Is there any other way?
Clearly you(we) are not alone in a very unorganized world. Thanks for your understanding and for coming along on the adventure. I have no doubt many if not most of you would be doing much as I have done out here given the opportunity. I suspect that's why there seems to be so much interest....and understanding of my sometime zany ways of doing things. Referring to me as your internet friend is the highest compliment I can receive. As long as there is interest, I guess I'll keep at it. Thanks my friend.
Merci Monsieur! Je vous remercie du compliment.
Thank you as well. Glad to see you're still following shop happenings.
Thomas
It could be used as a base for removing bearings Thomas but I think it had another purpose. And now that you said tool shed Joe will be jumping in waiting for more.
That channel is intriguing that's for sure. I'll have to ask my buddy if he has any idea what his dad or uncle might have used it for. Wonder if he remembers.
OK I'll admit it, I was in the tool shed today nosing around a little. It was such a beautiful day out there. As an act of kindness I'd almost consider buying Joe an airplane ticket and fly him out here to see it first hand.......but remember, I said almost.
Thomas
OK I'll admit it, I was in the tool shed today nosing around a little. It was such a beautiful day out there. As an act of kindness I'd almost consider buying Joe an airplane ticket and fly him out here to see it first hand.......but remember, I said almost.
Thomas
You're a pilot Thomas. Surely you could pick Joe up at his front door and kidnap him so he could go through the tool shed.
Thought about the homemade part on the press a little more and I think it may have been used for installing bearings more than removing them. The press isn't that tall so the stroke would need to be fairly short, which is what you need to install bearings on a large diameter axle shaft.
hobbitss
Well-known member
Hmmm... I sense a disturbance in the force....
Almost as if someone has been nosing around in the Tool Shed looking for treasures....
Almost as if someone has been nosing around in the Tool Shed looking for treasures....